Doula? What is a doula? A doula is a female care giver that assists women during labor, birth and postpartum. In todays technological world, natural birth needs all the help it can get. A doula can be.."that extra help". There are several controlled studies that show how much a doula can help a laboring mother. When a doula is present, there is an average 25% reduction in the length of labor, >50% decrease in cesarean sections and a marked reduction in the request for medications and epidurals. With all this in mind, a doula can help you avoid procedures such as induction and/or augmentation by providing help with natural stimulation techniques. The guidance and knowledge of a doula can help avoid perineal tears and the need for interventions such as episiotomy, forceps and vaccum extraction.

As your doula I am not there just for the mom. I can be a big help for the spouse/partner as well. Sometimes as a loving partner it can be challenging to see your loved one work so hard and be able to give information from an objective view. Having someone that has "been there" and "done this" can give reassurance that can enable the "coach" to keep right on "coaching" without worrying if something is normal or if there is something that needs medical attention. Labor can sometimes be long. Often the coach and I will "take turns" to ensure that someone is with mom at all times when labor creeps on into the wee hours of the next morning.

I bring various qualities with me to a birth. I have knowledge as a medical assistant. Having worked in a private doctors office, I know how to "speak the language of the staff". I understand the physical, emotional and mental needs of a laboring woman and her partner. I know what natural birth looks like and how to facilitate its success. I have attended over 100 births and appreciate the work a woman does to birth her child. I know that a woman has within her the ability to have the birth of her choice. A supportive environment and supportive assistance can empower a woman to do the work necessary to birth her child.

My services include unlimited phone and email support during pregnancy, assitance in creating a birth plan, up to three home visits prior to birth to discuss your birthing desires, labor support at home until advanced labor or you are ready to go to the hospital. I stay with you in the hospital until breastfeeding is underway and you are ready for quiet family time. I can also provide photography before and after the birth. Services are completed with a postpartum visit either in the hospital or in your home according to your wishes.

Let me give you my experience, knowledge and compassion during a time when you should be able to surrender to the forces of labor without feeling alone and vulnerable.

Annette Culp CMA, CLC, CD(DONA)

Hi, My name is Annette Culp and I am a Certified Medical Assistant, Certified Lactation Counselor and a DONA Certified Doula. I have been attending births for over 8 years.

I am married and have 4 children. The first was born by cesarean and the other three were VBAC's.  Life is one big "learning lesson" and my children have been my best teachers. A saying I have heard, "If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life", rings true for me. The childbearing year has been a part of my life in one way or another since my childhood. My grandmother use to tell me stories about the births she attended back in the 1920's and 30's. I will treasure those stories forever.  What better way could I remain young at heart than to continue on the path that interested me as a child.

Birth Blessings
Annette